God damn stupid fecking idotic crap printer DIE
God damn stupid fecking idotic crap printer DIE
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Parrot of Doom

Original Poster:

23,075 posts

264 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
Ok I have this HP Officejet 7100, that is supposed to do everything and indeed it sends faxes, copies and scans stuff fine.

However when I try to print, the colours are invariably weak no matter how often I clean the heads (and successfully too).

I really want to throw it out the window as the ink levels are fine. Is there something I can do to clean out any gunk thats in there? Perhaps a cotton swab and alcohol on the print heads?

Trooper2

6,676 posts

261 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
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The help files for my HP printer say specifically NOT to clean the print nozzles on the cartridges, the contacts can be cleaned with distilled water and a cotton swab.

Does your software allow you to adjust the ink volume that comes out of the cartidges and have you tried playing with the advanced color settings at all?

Have the cartridges been sitting a long time with out use? If so you may just have to replace them.

Parrot of Doom

Original Poster:

23,075 posts

264 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
quotequote all
Thing is, they would say that. I'm pretty sure the ink is water based, so I can't see what problems cleaning the heads with water would cause.

I've just cleaned everything out, it printed a couple of sheets fine, and then started fading again.

Stupid fecking thing, I hate printers. They never last long, and this one cost a lot of money.

I think I'll tie it to a brick and throw it through HP's UK centre front window tbh.

Trooper2

6,676 posts

261 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
quotequote all
All of my computer "stuff" is HP..........I know the feeling..

The ink level indicators aren't very trustworthy are you sure your not just low on ink?

Besides low ink or cartidges need cleaning HP says to check the your paper "type" is set correctly.

orgasmicliving!!

5,964 posts

250 months

Thursday 27th April 2006
quotequote all
Are you using good quality paper?

Check you printer settings in two places -- very carefully.
1. In the print menu dialog boxes
2. In the printer settings
Look for all print quality options. Check, double check, triple-check everything.

In old black and white printers, you could adjust the distance between paper and print head, leading to darker or lighter printing. Dunno if that applies here, but worth checking.

HP color printers and all in one office machines are pretty good these days. I have ended up with three at home now, and all of them print beautiful photo-quality stuff on the right paper. On regular paper, they do look washed out, but only a little.

I can understand your frustration--you paid good money for that, I am sure, and you are now having to suffer through this crap. I hope it works out. Is it too late to return it? A strongly worded letter to HP would help, I am sure. It's a pretty responsive company, but of course your mileage may vary.

_dan_

2,392 posts

309 months

Thursday 27th April 2006
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Also, may sound stupid, but put your paper in the airing cupboard. Paper soaks up moisture, and even though it may feel dry it may be damp enough to affect the printing.

Used to be a common complaint when I used to fix/recondition photocopiers. I know bubblejet's work differently but give it a bash anyway!

Parrot of Doom

Original Poster:

23,075 posts

264 months

Thursday 27th April 2006
quotequote all
The paper and printer are in the same room as the CH boiler

I just have bad luck with printers tbh. They're all shite.